Former Oddbins owner Nick Baile dies

Nick Baile MW, the man who ran UK off-licence chain Oddbins for over a decade during the 70s and early 80s, died yesterday.

Nick Baile ran Oddbins for over a decade from 1973

Baile, who was in his 70s when he passed away this week, had bought the Oddbins brand with business partner Dennis Ing from the retailer’s founder Ahmed Pochee back in 1973, when the operation was placed into receivership.

Baile then headed the business for over a decade until he sold the operation, which was facing financial difficulties, to Canadian drinks group Seagrams in 1984, which expanded the chain to 250 stores before selling it to France’s Castel Group in 2002.

Then, in 2008, it was Nick’s son Simon who bought the chain from Castel, hoping to re-instate the esoteric feel to the retail brand which had existed under his father’s management in the 70s.

Unfortunately, after two years of running the off-licence, Simon was forced to place Oddbins into administration in April 2011, before EFB Group bought the brand and just 37 of its stores.

3 Responses to “Former Oddbins owner Nick Baile dies”

Saddened to read of the passing away of Nick Baile MW. A brilliant guy to work for and with – no pretense, no distinction of class/role and a very friendly, very knowledgable and very entertaining man. You were the best, Nick. R.I.P

Nick was a visionary in his day, alongside Denis Ing, who didn’t micromanage and bully in the way his successors ran the business. It was a sad day when Nick and Denis departed Oddbins. They brought life to an industry which was in the Mateus Rosé doldrums. I would probably have stayed with Oddbins for life if the suits hadn’t moved in. I looked forward to my workdays. How many can say the same of their jobs? Thanks Nick. I thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic six years under your leadership. RIP.